Introduction 9 



of every form of knowledge. Moreover, there is no 

 method so efficacious for cultivating that mother- 

 wit which, although the common endowment of the 

 human race, is often the most neglected faculty. 

 Accurate observation and correct inference are the 

 ministers of sound judgment, on which depend the 

 manifold varieties of efficiency which make up the total 

 of national welfare. In thus advocating the study of 

 Nature the Committee are not aiming at the introduc- 

 tion of an additional subject to an already crowded 

 curriculum. Rightly regarded, Nature-study is not 

 so much a new subject as a more efficient means of 

 imparting general knowledge. It does not necessarily 

 extend the area of instruction, but supplies a deeper 

 and more thorough tilth of ground already occupied 

 but not always effectively cultivated. It will be 

 noted that no attempt was made to define the 

 scope of Nature-study. Definition involves limita- 

 tion, and to define the scope of such a new and 

 vigorous growth might prove a fetter to future de- 

 velopment. The object of the Committee was to 

 present and tabulate the various methods hitherto 

 adopted and thus to render the experience of in- 

 dividuals available for mutual benefit and advance- 

 ment. Nature may safely be trusted by her own 

 process of selection to preserve and develop those 

 methods which are best fitted for survival. 



The report of the Executive is based upon material 

 supplied by Mr. R. Hedger Wallace, and Mr. Wilfred 

 Mark Webb, F.L.S., whose labours in the collection 

 and analysis of details in regard to the schemes of 

 instruction in operation at different types of colleges 

 and schools deserve the highest praise. Mr. Lennox 



